Family Puppet Sets(Constructive Playthings $24.95 Score:) For realistic role playing, try this four-piece family with Mom, Dad, brother, and sister. Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, and Asian American sets available. All-fabric heads and bodies. Company will customize families!

Alex's Puppet Theatre(Alex $80 Score:) An updated version, this puppet theatre has a clock for show time and new eye-appealing graphics! This stable floor model is 48" high, with painted trim on one side and a chalk surface for messages. Their small tabletop model is also available ($27).

Sew and Decorate Lacing Puppets (Lauri $4.99 Score:) Choose from a variety of precut felt puppets, such as a green witch, bunnies, bugs, or circus animals. New this year, a big Fairy Fantasy Set with six precut hand puppets and one finger puppet. Kids lace them up and use them for storytelling. Kits come with yarn and big plastic needle for sewing (which develops fine-motor skills kids need for writing). 5 & up. (800) 451-0520.

Happy Hands Hog and Wolf Puppets(Mary Meyer $15 Score:) Just right for a lively telling of the Three Pigs, bring home these 13" full-body hand puppets. The pig is very cheerful and the wolf is not too scary! Made with a nubby finish, these are pleasing
to use and will be enjoyed by the next age group as well. The Happy Lion and new Happy Tiger and Dino are also charming. (800) 451-4387.

These Velour hand puppets are sure to make a hit with dinosaur lovers. They fit like a glove. Uncomplicated and ready for dramatic play of the prehistoric kind. Inexpensive enough for good stocking stuffer gifts for the science minded. Tuck in a book on the same subject.

Dr. Seuss Hand Puppets (Manhattan Toy $16 Score:) The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, Max, and even Horton are some of the favorite Seuss characters that you can bring to life with these easy-to-use hand-puppets. New for , the Lorax. Also fun, Scufflies puppets ($10 each) done in wacky purple, blue, or red fabric—easy to operate for small puppeteers. Still top rated, Handy Work Heroes ($10 each ) community workers. 3 & up. (800) 541-1345.

Polar Bear Puppet(Folkmanis $36 Score:) Polar bears are beloved in our office. This is a formidable bear. On a more domestic scale, there is also a new adorable 13" brown Tabby Cat ($22 ), the favorite of one of our toddler testers! Also interesting, dragon puppets that sit on a shoulder and are operated with a hand lever. Not ready for testing. Still charming, a 30" honey-colored Golden Retriever ($60 ). (800) 654-8922.